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A study by Utah State University shows a new wind-generation farm in Utah County not only delivers electricity, but boosts the local economy as well.
This study by USU, the result of a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy's Wind Powering America initiative, shows that the nine giant windmills at the mouth of Spanish Fork Canyon generated more than $4 million to the economy, and the lasting effect will continue to benefit the community.
The windmills are part of a private venture to generate power by harnessing the wind's energy.
The power is sold to Rocky Mountain Power, and the windmills generate enough electricity to power nearly 75 percent of Spanish Fork's energy; and it is all green energy.
The authors of the study, Cathy Hartman and Edwin Stafford of the Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University, say that the project was a $32 million investment.
During construction last year, the project created 38 jobs with $1.4 million in payroll.
The economic benefits will continue. Landowners will receive $74,000 in lease payments, and the project will pay $112,000 in property tax payments to Utah County.
The study also examined the four years of challenges the developer had in getting approval for the wind farm and reasons for the opposition.
It also points to the possibilities wind power can have in rural Utah, especially creating good jobs in the technology field.
The study's authors predict this wind project will encourage more wind power in Utah in the future, but will require wind developers to be persistent and flexible in making it a reality.
E-mail: spenrod@ksl.com
